Wireless communication controlled battery charging station

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates generally to the field of rechargeable batteries, and more particularly to control of battery charging using wireless communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002Most battery charging devices provided with electronics devices, such as mobile phones and laptop computers, provide a fixed voltage source to recharge batteries. The required voltage and current profile for charging the battery is, in general, provided by electronic circuits, either within the charging device itself or within the battery. This allows flexibility in the choice of chargers and also serves to protect the device from potential damage from the use of inappropriate chargers.

0003Recently, there has been a move toward the use of wireless battery charging devices. Most wireless mobile charging solutions rely on inductive coupling. With inductive coupling, the charging station takes the form of a mat or other flat surface. Inside the mat are one or more inductive coupling coils. The mat itself is connected to an external source of power that is used to recharge the battery. Since the electricity coming to most homes is alternating current, the mat provides the electricity the coils need to generate a changing magnetic field. In some instances, a special case or attachment is connected to the electronics device to take advantage of this magnetic field and has a matching coil for the inductor coils. The electronics device is placed on the charging surface such that the coils overlap. The inductor coils inside the mat generates the magnetic field, which induces a flow of electricity inside the matching coil. This electricity then recharges the battery of the electronics device.

0004Another approach used by wireless battery charging devices utilizes conductive charging mats to transfer power when charging a battery. Conductive charging mats create a direct electric circuit between a mobile device and a charging surface. Typically, the surface of the charging device has strips of electrically conductive material embedded in it such that when a electronics device with corresponding electrical contacts touches these strips of metal, electricity flows into the battery of the electronics device.

SUMMARY

0005Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system, and program product to charge a battery. An electronic device sends a wireless signal to a charging station indicating that charging of a battery of the electronic device is to commence. The electronic device determines whether charging of the battery is to continue. In response to a determination that charging of the battery is not to continue, the electronic device sends a wireless signal to the charging station indicating that charging of the battery is to cease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a functional block diagram illustrating a battery charging environment, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates operational processes of a control program, executing on an electronics device within the environment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates operational processes of a charging program, executing on a charging station within the environment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts a block diagram of components of the electronics device executing the control program and the charging station executing the charging program, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0010While solutions to control the charging of a battery of the electronics device are known they often require a physical or wired connection to do so. In some solutions, the battery charging device is configured to stop charging a battery once an amount of resistance is detected. Such battery charging devices normally incorporate some form of voltage regulation to control the charging voltage applied to the battery, to prevent overcharging of the battery. Many different charging and termination schemes have been developed for different battery chemistries and different applications. To control the point at which battery charging is terminated, several methods are commonly employed.

0011The first commonly employed method is a trickle charging method in which a small current charge (e.g., 0.05-0.1 coulomb) is applied to the battery at a constant voltage over a prolonged period of time, often ranging from 5-15 hours. Trickle charging means charging a fully charged battery under no-load at a rate equal to its self-discharge rate, thus enabling the battery to remain at its fully charged level. A related form of charging is float (or maintenance) charging. A simple definition of float charging is that voltage is continuously applied to the battery terminals. Typically, the amplitude of that voltage varies between 0.2 volts and 0.6 volts above the rest state voltage of the battery when it is fully charged. The purpose of continuous float charging is to maintain the battery in a fully charged condition so that when it is called into service, the battery will be able to deliver its full charge capacity. For lead-acid batteries under no-load float charging, i.e., the battery is not being used while it is being charged, trickle charging is achieved naturally at the end of charge, when the lead-acid battery takes in a trickle charge to keep itself fully charged. The trickle charging then equals the energy expended by the lead-acid battery in splitting the water in the electrolyte into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Other battery technologies, such as the lithium-ion technology, are highly intolerant to over-charging, and cannot be float charged without an external battery management system.

0012The second method is to monitor the change in voltage across the battery terminals using a voltage sensor. As the battery is charged the voltage rises until full charge is reached. Once full charge is reached the voltage across the battery terminals begins to drop (herein called negative delta voltage (NDV), where delta indicates change) due to polarization inside the cells of the battery, which starts to occur once a cell is fully charged. At this point the cells enter the overcharge danger zone and the temperature of the battery begins to rise rapidly since the chemical changes are complete and the excess electrical energy is converted into heat by the cells. In general, the rate of change of voltage with respect to time (dV/dt) is monitored and charging is stopped when this becomes zero, but this runs the risk of premature cutoffs. With this method, a much higher charging rate can be used than with the trickle method to charge at up to 1 C. At this charge rate, the cutoff NDV is approximately 5-10 mV per cell of the battery. Since this method measures the voltage across the battery, a constant current (rather than a constant voltage) charging circuit must be used. This is unlike a lead-acid battery cell for example, which can, in theory, be more easily charged at a suitably chosen constant voltage. The voltage drop occurs regardless of the discharge level or ambient temperature and it can therefore be detected and used by a battery charging device to identify the peak in voltage of the battery, and hence to cut off charging when the battery has reached its full charge. This method is not suitable for charging currents less than 0.5 C (coulomb) since changes in voltage becomes difficult to detect. False NDV can occur at the start of the charge with excessively discharged cells. This is often overcome by using a timer to delay the detection of NDV to avoid this problem. Lead acid batteries do not demonstrate a voltage drop on charge completion hence this charging method is not suitable for sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries.

0013Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries do not demonstrate such a pronounced NDV voltage drop when they reach the end of the charging cycle and so the NDV cut off method is not reliable for ending a NiMH battery charge. Instead, many battery charging devices sense the rate of increase of the battery temperature per unit time (dT/dt, indicating change in Temperature/change in time). When a predetermined rate (dT/dt) is reached, rapid charging at rates (0.5-1.0 C) is stopped and the charge method is switched to the trickle charge method. Because extended trickle charging can damage a NiMH battery, the use of a timer to regulate the total charging time is often recommended.

0014A constant-current constant-voltage (CC/CV) controlled charge method is often used for charging Lithium and some other batteries, which may be vulnerable to damage if the upper voltage limit is exceeded. The constant current charging rate specified by a manufacturer is the maximum charging rate which the battery can tolerate without damaging the battery. Special precautions are often needed to maximize the charging rate and to ensure that the battery is fully charged, while at the same time avoiding overcharging. For this reason, it is typically recommended that a battery charging device switch charging methods from constant-current to constant voltage charging before the cell voltage reaches its upper limit for that battery. Note that this implies that chargers for Lithium Ion battery cells must be capable of controlling both the charging current and the charging voltage, requiring sensors and devices for both.

0015Embodiments of the present invention recognize that with the advent of wireless chargers the battery voltage, current and temperature data required by many battery charging systems, to prevent overcharging of batteries, is not readily accessible to such battery charging systems. Embodiments of the present invention provide one or more of battery voltage, current and temperature data as required by many charging systems, without the use of wired communication connections between electronic devices and charging stations. Embodiments of the present invention provide an application installed on an electronic device that communicates wirelessly with the charging station to control the charging of the battery of that electronic device. An embodiment of the present invention provides a charging attachment that is connected to the electronic device that includes one or all of a) the application, b) the sensors to determine at least one of the battery voltage, current or temperature data, and c) an electrical power system to transfer electrical power to the battery. An embodiment of the present invention provides a charging attachment that stops the charging of the battery of electronic device once a predefined battery charge has been reached. An embodiment of the present invention provides a charging station that wirelessly receives and processes commands from an electronic device to control charging of the battery of that electronic device.

0016The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a functional block diagram illustrating a battery charging environment, generally designated <b>100</b>, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Battery charging environment <b>100</b> includes charging station <b>110</b> and electronics device <b>120</b> connected over wireless network <b>130</b>. Charging station <b>110</b> includes charging program <b>115</b> and wireless transceiver <b>116</b>. Consumer electronics device <b>120</b> includes sensors <b>123</b>, battery <b>124</b>, control program <b>125</b> and wireless transceiver <b>126</b>.

0018In general, charging station <b>110</b> is configured to wirelessly transmit energy to electronics device <b>120</b> to charge battery <b>124</b> and electronics device <b>120</b> is configured to receive that transmitted energy. Together, charging station <b>110</b> and electronics device <b>120</b> comprise a battery charging system. For example, if electronics device <b>120</b> utilizes inductive coupling to charge battery <b>124</b>, then charging station <b>110</b> has a complementary coil and power system that generates the changing magnetic field to transmit energy to the complementary coil of electronics device <b>120</b>. In some embodiments, such complementary structures are included as part of an attachment connected to electronics device <b>120</b> and/or charging station <b>110</b>. In some embodiments, one or more of sensors <b>123</b>, battery <b>124</b>, control program <b>125</b>, wireless transceiver <b>126</b>, charging program <b>115</b> and wireless transceiver <b>116</b> are included in respective attachments connected to electronics device <b>120</b> and/or charging station <b>110</b>, further respectively. In a charging scenario where battery <b>124</b> is being charged, electronics device <b>120</b> is within a proximity to charging station <b>110</b> such that power is transmitted from charging station <b>110</b> and is received by electronics device <b>120</b>. In some embodiments, such a proximity varies with the type of wireless power transfer technology respectively used by charging station <b>110</b> and electronics device <b>120</b>.

0019In this exemplary embodiment, charging program <b>115</b> and control program <b>125</b> are respectively stored on charging station <b>110</b> and electronics device <b>120</b>. However, in other embodiments, one or both of charging program <b>115</b> and control program <b>125</b> are stored externally, in whole or in part, and are accessed through a communication network, such as network <b>130</b>. Network <b>130</b> can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, and may include wired, wireless, fiber optic or any other connection known in the art. In general, network <b>130</b> can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between charging program <b>115</b>, wireless transceiver <b>116</b>, control program <b>125</b>, wireless transceiver <b>126</b>, charging station <b>110</b> and electronics device <b>120</b>, in accordance with a desired embodiment of the present invention.

0020In general, wireless transceiver <b>126</b> and wireless transceiver <b>116</b> allow wireless communication between charging station <b>110</b> and electronics device <b>120</b>. In various embodiments, wireless transceiver <b>126</b> and wireless transceiver <b>116</b> utilize one or more of: radio communication, microwave communication, for example long-range line-of-sight via highly directional antennas, or short-range communication, free-space optical communication (FSO) communication, which uses light propagating in free space to wirelessly transmit data, sonic communication, including ultrasonic short range communication, which involves the transmission and reception of sound, and electromagnetic induction short range communication. In general, wireless transceiver <b>126</b> and wireless transceiver <b>116</b> utilize a form of wireless communication and an accompanying data/signal format to provide wireless communication between charging program <b>115</b> and control program <b>125</b>.

0021In various embodiments of the present invention, electronics device <b>120</b> is a portable electronic device that can be a standalone device, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a smartphone, a handheld video game console or another portable electronic device known in the art. In another embodiment, electronics device <b>120</b> represents a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources. In general, electronics device <b>120</b> can be any computing device or a combination of devices with access to sensors <b>123</b>, battery <b>124</b>, control program <b>125</b> and wireless transceiver <b>126</b> and is capable of both executing control program <b>125</b> and of receiving power from charging station <b>110</b> to charge battery <b>124</b>. In some embodiments, electronics device <b>120</b> includes internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

0022In various embodiments of the present invention, charging station <b>110</b> is a battery charging station that is configured to provide power to wirelessly charge battery <b>124</b> of electronics device <b>120</b>. In some embodiments, charging station <b>110</b> utilizes inductive coupling to provide power to wirelessly charge the battery of electronics device <b>120</b>. In some embodiments, charging station <b>110</b> utilizes conductive charging mats to create a direct electric circuit between electronics device <b>120</b> and a charging surface of charging station <b>110</b>. In one embodiment, such a charging surface has strips of electrically conductive material embedded in the charging surface such that when electronics device <b>120</b> touches these strips of metal, electricity flows into battery <b>124</b>. In general, charging station <b>110</b> can be any charging device or a combination of charging and computing devices with access to charging program <b>115</b> and wireless transceiver <b>116</b> and are capable of both executing charging program <b>115</b> and of transmitting power to electronics device <b>120</b> to charge battery <b>124</b>. In some embodiments, charging station <b>110</b> includes internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

0023In an embodiment, charging station <b>110</b> includes charging program <b>115</b>. In general, charging program <b>115</b> responds to the commands sent by control program <b>125</b> to regulate charging of battery <b>124</b>. In some embodiments, charging program <b>115</b> is hardwired into an electronic circuit in communication with wireless transceiver <b>116</b>. In other embodiments, charging program <b>115</b> is stored on a memory of charging station <b>110</b> and is accessed and executed using internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

0024In an embodiment, electronics device <b>120</b> includes control program <b>125</b>. Control program <b>125</b> receives data from sensors <b>123</b>, which monitor the charge of or charging of battery <b>124</b>. In an embodiment, in general, battery <b>124</b> is a rechargeable battery with known charging characteristics. Control program <b>125</b> includes a number of known profiles for a variety of batteries. Control program <b>125</b> uses these profiles to identify the type of battery represented by battery <b>124</b> and selects a charging profile to match the identified type. For example, if battery <b>124</b> is a sealed lead acid battery, then control program <b>125</b> would identify the type of battery as a sealed lead acid battery and select a charging profile to match.

0025In some instances, control program <b>125</b> communicates with electronic device <b>120</b> and retrieves data identifying the type of battery represented by battery <b>124</b>. In other cases, control program <b>125</b> executes a test based on a partial charge of battery <b>124</b> to identify the type of battery <b>124</b>. For example, control program <b>125</b> executes a short recharge of battery <b>124</b> in which control program <b>125</b> causes charging station <b>110</b> to vary the voltage used for charging over a range with a constant current followed by a constant voltage with a varied electrical current. During the test, control program <b>125</b> uses sensors <b>123</b> to monitor the characteristics of battery <b>124</b>, e.g., changes in voltage across the terminals, change in temperature, electrical resistance etc. Control program <b>125</b> uses these characteristics to generate a charging profile for battery <b>124</b> and matches this profile to a profile included in control program <b>125</b>, thereby identifying the type of battery <b>124</b>.

0026In an embodiment, sensors <b>123</b> monitor one or more of: voltage, electrical current (also called amperage when current is measured in amperes), electrical resistance, temperature or another characteristic, as is known to those skilled in the art, of battery <b>124</b>. In general, control program <b>125</b> uses the data generated by sensors <b>123</b> to determine commands to send to charging program <b>115</b> to control the charging of battery <b>124</b>. In one embodiment, control program <b>125</b> is, at least in part, included as part of a protocol stack that is an implementation of a computer networking protocol suite. Such protocol stacks include one or more protocols and layers to pass signals from control program <b>125</b> to charging program <b>115</b>.

0027In one embodiment, control program <b>125</b> uses a peripheral device, such as the flash of a camera included in electronics device <b>120</b>, to send a signal to charging program <b>115</b>. In such an embodiment, charging station <b>110</b> includes a sensor that detects the signal from the peripheral device, e.g., a light sensor, and changes the charging of battery <b>124</b> in accordance to the received signal. For example, control program <b>125</b> activates a camera flash of electronics device <b>120</b> three times with the flashes spaced one second apart. In one such embodiment, a light detector, included as part of charging station <b>110</b>, receives the flashes of light and sends the signals to charging program <b>115</b>. Charging program <b>115</b> matches the signal pattern to an index of charging commands and determines that the signal indicates that charging of battery <b>124</b> is to be conducted using a trickle method governed by a timer. As such, charging station initiates a charging of battery <b>124</b> using the trickle method and, once the time period has elapsed, ceases further charging.

0028In another embodiment, electronics device <b>120</b> uses a screen display, e.g., a screen on a smartphone, to communicate with charging station <b>110</b>. In one such embodiment, electronics device <b>120</b> uses the screen to display a pattern or sequence of patterns to charging station <b>110</b>. As with the pervious embodiment, charging station <b>110</b> includes a sensor configured to detect signals from electronics device <b>120</b>, e.g., a camera, which detects the signals from the screen of electronics device <b>120</b>, and passes those signals to charging program <b>115</b>. Charging program <b>115</b> matches the signal pattern to an index and determines the charging to be applied to recharge battery <b>124</b>. Such patterns could be barcodes, color patterns or a sequence of pictures that are recognized by charging program <b>115</b>.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates operational processes of control program <b>125</b>, executing on electronics device <b>120</b> within the environment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

0030In determination process <b>205</b>, control program <b>125</b> determines if electronics device <b>120</b> includes information identifying the type of battery that battery <b>124</b> belongs to, e.g., a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery. If electronics device <b>120</b> does not include information identifying the type of battery that battery <b>124</b> belongs to (determination process <b>205</b>, NO branch), then control program <b>125</b> proceeds to process <b>210</b>. In process <b>210</b>, control program <b>125</b> identifies the type of battery that battery <b>124</b> belongs by executing a charging test and generates a charging profile based on the results of that test, which is then matched to a pre-existing charging profile included in control program <b>125</b>. Such charging tests include charging and/or discharging battery <b>124</b> at least partly and monitoring one or more of voltage, current, temperature and resistance, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In some embodiments, once control program <b>125</b> tests a battery and identifies a type of battery of battery <b>124</b>, control program <b>125</b> creates a record of the type of battery of battery <b>124</b> and stores that information for use in future charging. If electronics device <b>120</b> does include information identifying the type of battery that battery <b>124</b> belongs to (determination process <b>205</b>, YES branch), then control program <b>125</b> identifies the corresponding pre-existing charging profile for that battery type, included in control program <b>125</b>, in process <b>215</b>. In process <b>215</b>, control program <b>125</b> compares information identifying the type of battery of battery <b>124</b> to a number of entries in a database, which is included as part of control program <b>125</b>. Control program <b>125</b> matches the information to one of the entries included in the database and retrieves a pre-existing charging profile that is associated with that entry. In one embodiment, each entry included in such a database is associated with a type of battery chemistry, e.g., lead-acid battery. In addition, the pre-existing charging profile for that battery type is configured such that the charging of that battery type will be completed with a minimization of overcharging and/or reduction in degradation of the battery due to charging.

0031In determination process <b>220</b>, control program <b>125</b> determines whether the amount of charging to be applied to battery <b>124</b> is below a threshold. Certain types of batteries, e.g., certain lithium based batteries, are susceptible to decreased lifespan by unnecessary charging. As such, control program <b>125</b> determines whether the current level of charge of battery <b>124</b> warrants charging as part of determination process <b>220</b>. If the amount of charging to be applied to battery <b>124</b> is below a threshold (determination process <b>220</b>, YES branch), then control program <b>125</b> signals charging station <b>110</b> indicating that battery <b>124</b> is not to be charged, in process <b>225</b>. For example, in some scenarios the amount of charging to be applied to battery <b>124</b> is determined to be zero, e.g., in the case where the battery is fully charged. In such a case, control program <b>125</b> signals charging station <b>110</b> indicating that battery <b>124</b> is not to be charged.

0032If the amount of charging to be applied to battery <b>124</b> is not below a threshold (determination process <b>220</b>, NO branch), then control program <b>125</b> signals charging station <b>110</b> indicating that battery <b>124</b> is to be charged, in process <b>230</b>.

0033In process <b>235</b>, control program <b>125</b> identifies a charging profile to be followed to recharge battery <b>124</b> and sends a signal to charging station <b>110</b> to indicate the charging profile to be applied when charging battery <b>124</b>. In some scenarios the charging profile to be followed is based on the type of battery to which battery <b>124</b> belongs. In other scenarios, the charging profile to be followed is based on both the type of battery to which battery <b>124</b> belongs as well as the amount of charging that is to be applied to battery <b>124</b>. For example, control program <b>125</b> determines the amount of charging to be applied to battery <b>124</b> to be a non-zero value that exceeds the threshold, e.g., battery <b>124</b> is 15% charged, and battery <b>124</b> is determined to be of a lithium type of battery. As such, control program <b>125</b> signals charging station <b>110</b> indicating that battery <b>124</b> is to be charged according to the charging profile for a lithium type of battery that is in a low charge state. As such the charging profile applied takes into account the type of battery as well as the amount of charge required to bring the battery above a threshold.

0034In process <b>240</b>, control program <b>125</b> initiates charging of battery <b>124</b> via wireless transceiver <b>126</b>. To charge battery <b>124</b>, control program <b>125</b> sends a signal, using wireless transceiver <b>126</b>, to charging station <b>110</b>, initiating the execution of the charging profile to be followed to charge battery <b>124</b>. In determination process <b>245</b>, control program <b>125</b> determines whether to stop the charging of battery <b>124</b> based on the data being output by sensors <b>123</b>. If control program <b>125</b> determines to stop the charging of battery <b>124</b> based on the data being output by sensors <b>123</b> (determination process <b>245</b>, YES branch), then control program <b>125</b> sends a signal to charging station <b>110</b> indicating that charging activity is to stop, in process <b>250</b>. For example, in response to the data being output by sensors <b>123</b> indicating that charging of battery <b>124</b> is complete or is to cease due to a problem in the charging of battery <b>124</b>, control program <b>125</b> sends a signal to charging station <b>110</b> indicating that charging activity is to stop. If control program <b>125</b> determines not to stop the charging of battery <b>124</b> based on the data being output by sensors <b>123</b> (determination process <b>245</b>, NO branch), then control program <b>125</b> returns to process <b>230</b> and sends a signal to charging station <b>110</b> indicating that charging activity is to continue, i.e., is to be charged. For example, the data being output by sensors <b>123</b> indicates that charging of battery <b>124</b> is not complete and, as a result, control program <b>125</b> continues to send signals to charging station <b>110</b> indicating that battery <b>124</b> is to be charged using charging profile X.

0035In some embodiments, by returning to process <b>230</b>, control program <b>125</b> dynamically changes the charging profile being applied to charge battery <b>124</b> based on the data being output by sensors <b>123</b>. For example, battery <b>124</b> is brought up to 70% charge using charging profile A and then brought to full charge using charging profile B. In certain embodiments, the use of multiple charging profiles allows for a more timely and efficient charge with reduced degradation of battery <b>124</b>.

0036In one embodiment, control program <b>125</b> also includes the capability to stop the flow of electricity charging battery <b>124</b> in the event that charging station <b>110</b> does not respond to signals indicating that charging activity is to stop. In one embodiment, control program <b>125</b> also includes the capability to stop the flow of electricity charging battery <b>124</b> in the event that charging station <b>110</b> malfunctions. For example, charging station <b>110</b> applies an undesirable charging profile to charge battery <b>124</b>.

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates operational processes of charging program <b>115</b>, executing on charging station <b>110</b> within the environment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

0038In process <b>305</b>, charging program <b>115</b> monitors the signals from control program <b>125</b> via wireless transceiver <b>116</b>. In determination process <b>310</b>, charging program <b>115</b> determines if the signals indicate that charging of battery <b>124</b> is to commence. If the signals indicate that charging of battery <b>124</b> is not to commence (determination process <b>310</b>, NO branch), then charging program <b>115</b> returns to process <b>305</b>.

0039If the signals indicate that charging of battery <b>124</b> is to commence (determination process <b>310</b>, YES branch), then charging program <b>115</b> identifies a charging profile based on the signals from control program <b>125</b>, in process <b>315</b>. In process <b>315</b>, charging program <b>115</b> identifies a charging profile to be applied to battery <b>124</b> by matching the signal received from control program <b>125</b> to a list of charging profiles, which include commands that control the power used by charging station <b>110</b> to charge battery <b>124</b>. Such commands are included as part of charging program <b>115</b>.

0040In process <b>320</b>, charging program <b>115</b> executes the commands based on the signals received from control program <b>125</b> according to the charging profile that was matched to the signals from control program <b>125</b>. Such commands indicate the voltage and electric current that are to be applied to battery <b>124</b> in order to recharge it.

0041In decision process <b>325</b>, charging program <b>115</b> determines if a signal has been received from control program <b>125</b> indicating that charging activity is to stop. If a signal has not been received from control program <b>125</b> indicating that charging activity is to stop (decision process <b>325</b>, NO branch), then charging program <b>115</b> returns to process <b>320</b> and continues to execute the commands included in the charging profile. If a signal has been received from control program <b>125</b> indicating that charging activity is to stop (decision process <b>325</b>, YES branch), then charging program <b>115</b> ceases to execute the commands included in the charging profile in process <b>330</b>, i.e., charging program <b>115</b> ceases to supply voltage and electric current to battery <b>124</b> in order to recharge it.

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts a block diagram of components of electronics device <b>120</b> executing the control program <b>125</b> and charging station <b>110</b> executing charging program <b>115</b>, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made.

0043Consumer electronics device <b>120</b> and charging station <b>110</b> respectively include communications fabric <b>402</b>, which provides communications between further respective computer processor(s) <b>404</b>, memory <b>406</b>, persistent storage <b>408</b>, communications unit <b>410</b>, and input/output (I/O) interface(s) <b>412</b>. Communications fabric <b>402</b> can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric <b>402</b> can be implemented with one or more buses.

0044Memory <b>406</b> and persistent storage <b>408</b> are computer-readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory <b>406</b> includes respective random access memory (RAM) <b>414</b> and cache memory <b>416</b>. In general, memory <b>406</b> can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media.

0045Control program <b>125</b> and charging program <b>115</b> are stored in respective persistent storage <b>408</b> for execution and/or access by one or more of the respective computer processors <b>404</b> via one or more memories of memory <b>406</b>. In this embodiment, persistent storage <b>408</b> includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage <b>408</b> can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.

0046The media used by persistent storage <b>408</b> may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage <b>408</b>. Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage <b>408</b>.

0047Communications unit <b>410</b>, in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices, including resources of network <b>130</b>. In these examples, communications unit <b>410</b> includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit <b>410</b> may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. Control program <b>125</b> and charging program <b>115</b> may be downloaded to persistent storage <b>408</b> through communications unit <b>410</b>.

0048I/O interface(s) <b>412</b> allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be respectively connected to electronics device <b>120</b> and charging station <b>110</b>. For example, I/O interface <b>412</b> may provide a connection to external devices <b>418</b> such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices <b>418</b> can also include portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., control program <b>125</b> and charging program <b>115</b>, can be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage <b>408</b> via I/O interface(s) <b>412</b>. I/O interface(s) <b>412</b> also connect to a display <b>420</b>.

0049Display <b>420</b> provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor, or a television screen.

0050The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

0051The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

0052Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

0053Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

0054Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

0055These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

0056The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

0057The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

0058The programs described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

0059It is to be noted that the term(s) “Smalltalk” and the like may be subject to trademark rights in various jurisdictions throughout the world and are used here only in reference to the products or services properly denominated by the marks to the extent that such trademark rights may exist.